New IACS framework guides ammonia fuel use in ships

It ensures that operational ammonia releases are effectively mitigated on ships.

The International Association of Classification Societies has published Unified Requirement (UR H2), providing a comprehensive safety framework for ammonia release mitigation systems (ARMS) on ammonia-fuelled ships.

It aims to harmonise requirements for the design, testing, and certification of ARMS to manage ammonia releases during normal operations and foreseeable abnormal scenarios, a press release said.

The framework also provides a consistent safety objective for the industry as it transitions towards zero-carbon fuels.

UR H2 aligns with MSC.1/Circ.1687, offering clear guidance for Classification Societies to assess and approve ammonia systems.

It supports various mitigation methods, including scrubbers, dissolution tanks, combustion units, and dilution systems, encouraging innovation provided strict safety and exposure limits are met.

The framework also sets clear expectations for testing, certification, and onboard readiness to ensure systems remain effective in mitigating hazards associated with operational ammonia fuel releases.

“By providing a common technical reference, the UR supports designers, shipowners, equipment manufacturers, and regulators, and facilitates consistent implementation across the IACS membership,” said Eva Peno Jimenez, Chair of the Safe Decarbonisation Panel.